Keighley come from behind to win at Pontefract

Pontefract 15 Keighley 19
Report by Sam Griffin
Keighley playing away on a heavy ground against a Juggernaut pack were always going to find the going difficult. Ponte were quickest out of the blocks, playing up the slope they put the visitors under sustained pressure. Their strategy was simple, short passes to forwards driving up the middle. Keighley tackled well, and were sensible enough not to commit too many players to the breakdown. Eventually Ponte forced a line out near the twenty two and a well organised take and drive put the defence on the back foot. Outstanding back rower Sam Millard managed to shear off the maul to score a well deserved try in the corner. Outside half Liam Kaye added the conversion. Keighley thanks to good line out work from James Cunliffe and Tom Willson gained steady possession which allowed outside half Grayson Tihema the opportunity to gain good field position. Unfortunately the bigger Ponte forwards and sharp backs snuffed out any concerted attacking play.
The second half was always going to be literally an uphill struggle for Keighley. An early Ponte foray down the left was snuffed out by good defence, but the ball was recycled quickly and moved wide giving outside half Kaye a try wide out. At this point Keighley came to life, with the forwards managing to gain good possession scrum half George Marshall and Outside half Grayson Tihema combined well. A number of darting runs began to pressure the opposition defence and force them to concede ground. A good charge by number eight Will Mclaughlin and a chip through by Tihema was followed up by centre Rich Tillotson and a well worked try. Full back Olly Mitchell added the extras. Ponte using the slope and good driving play especially from Millard forced their way into Keighley territory, once again good scramble defence kept them out, their only reward was a penalty for outside half Kaye.
With fifteen minutes remaining Keighley began to make more effort to mix up their game and move the opposition forwards around. Good work from winger Chris Stead and Tihema forced the defence to close in which allowed space wide out, an inch perfect cross kick from Tihema found wing forward Tom Willson who scored. Towards the end of the game Ponte once again forced themselves down the midfield only to allow the compact Keighley wing forward Lucas Uren to steal the ball at a breakdown. Quickly the defence was turned into attack and some quick hands allowed centre Tillotson to race in for his second try. Mitchell added the difficult conversion. Ponte with time running out managed to gain good ground and their driving play looked ominous, luckily for Keighley the attack came to nothing through poor handling. Keighley managed the last few minutes well and deserved their hard fought victory.